The DNA Journey: I took a DNA test and found about my origins

Remember that video about people taking DNA tests and finding out about their real origins that went viral and made us all cry? I am sure you know what I am talking about, but if you didn’t watch it yet please don’t miss it:

I know what you’re thinking – I want to take that test too! Well I am here to give you good news: I am going to share with you the link to a contest where you can win one of these kits. Just keep reading… And even if you don’t win please let me know and I will tell you where you can purchase your kit right away!

When I watched this video for the first time I immediately thought I really wanted to get tested. I totally agree with one of the women in the video saying “this should be compulsory”. Everyone should know more about their real origins: can you imagine how more open minded people would be?

There is no such thing as “being from one place”.

So when I attended the #TTG Travel Fair in Italy last October I couldn’t believe I was one of the lucky winners of the DNA tests offered by Momondo. Momondo is a free global travel metasearch engine website that can help you find flights, hotels, cars for rent etc. The idea behind Momondo’s DNA Journey project is that the more people travel, the more barriers and prejudices can be overcome.

Moreover, can you imagine finding out you are from a given place? Wouldn’t you just want to find out more about that place and maybe even visit it? Isn’t this super exciting?

My experience with the DNA test

Taking the test is really easy: you ship your DNA to the lab, they send you the results. My kit contained a small container where I basically had to spit (or drool, since it took a couple of minutes to fill it up!), mix up my saliva with a special liquid, seal the whole thing and ship the envelope. Of course shipment is provided by the company that takes the test! You don’t have to pay for it.

The saliva container – Bio hazard!

There are other tests that contain swabs to extract DNA cells from the inside of your cheek. It’s the same concept: they need your DNA and this can come in different shapes but the result will be the same.

In any case, whatever you find out, it will be a surprise. Because you had no idea.

Before shipping the test you have to register your kit on the given website, this way you can track the process of your DNA test. And then one day you receive that e-mail: your results are ready!

The button to click: I was so excited!

So I entered my profile and had my first surprise: while I was expecting – or maybe hoping – to find out about super exotic origins, I am – at least for the last 2000 or so years of my history – mostly European. And mostly from Southern Europe. Mostly Italian! This was a big “whoa” moment for me.

Take a look at this (translation below):

My DNA test: The results in detail

I have discovered the genetical past of my ancestors, finding out how much I have in common with the rest of the world. These are my origins. #LetsOpenOurWorld64% Italian (Whoa! I am thinking this must be the reason I want to spend a lot of time abroad. I am genetically bored, ha)13% Southern European (Fair enough. The neighbouring countries.)10,60% North-Western European (Guys, I am not kidding, this includes Scandinavia. I am SO happy.)4,60 European, not defined2,60% French and German (I was expecting a bit more German since I know about some pretty close ancestors from there. But at this point I am guessing they were all the German relatives in my history)1,60% Eastern European (I get the “are you from Eastern Europe?” a lot, so I like this: from now on I can reply “Yes, a little bit!”)1,3% British and Irish (Yay! I knew there was something British and/or Irish in me!)1,1% Balkan (I always wanted to visit the Balkan area so much, and now even more. If I feel at home I will know why…)0,2% Sub-Saharian African (Must be where my curls come from… Maybe. In any case I am super proud of this little part of me.)0,1% Ashkenazi Jewish (First time I heard of this in my life. A whole new world opened to my eyes. Hey, I have some of that world in my DNA too!)0,1% Western African (This is so exciting, really, going through the results as I translate, and my stomach is upside down.)<0,1% Central-South African (Just a tiny part but basically if I sum the African percentages I have a good 0,4% of Africa in me and this makes me happy. But then of course this is just the last 2000 years of my history, we are all from Africa in first place!)

So yeah, these are my beautiful results. It goes without saying that now I have one more reason to visit all the mentioned places. A trip to the Balkans for example has always been high on my list. But now it got even more meaning… Do you see what I mean?

For me this is the beginning of a new journey. I want to travel to these areas, find out more.

But there’s more! The test not only looks at your family line, but also looks at your motherline and fatherline . By looking at this detail, we can show you the speculated migration patterns of these lines, giving you a complete story of your ancestry. For example, I found out that I am 2,4% Neanderthal.

Are you ready to take your test and find out where you really come from?

“Would you dare to question who you really are?”

Here‘s the link to the contest. Good luck… And don’t forget to share your results with me!

Such interesting findings! I always wonder about finding out my roots but I haven’t done it yet. I’m a bit afraid of what I might find out, but at the same time, I’m intrigued. It’s a complicated emotion haha